Japanese Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing (Horenso Gomaae)

It’s extremely easy and quick to make, and it compliments well with any Japanese foods. Not to mention, it is often added to a bento lunch giving a nice appetizing green color to the meal.

Japanese Spinach Salad with Sesame Dressing (Horenso Gomaae)

Ingredients

• 1 bunch spinach (1 bunch = 1/2 lb = 220 g)
• pinch kosher salt

Sesame Sauce

• 3 Tbsp white sesame seeds (roasted/toasted)
• 11/2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp sake
• 1/2 tsp mirin

Instructions

1. Gather all the ingredients.
2. [Optional] For the sesame sauce, put sesame seeds in a frying pan and toast them on low heat. When 2-3 sesame seeds start to pop from the pan, remove from the heat.
3. Grind the toasted sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle. Leave some sesame seeds unground for some texture.
4. Add 1½ Tbsp. soy sauce, 1 Tbsp. sugar, ½ tsp. sake, ½ tsp. mirin to the ground sesame seeds and mix all together.
5. Put lightly salted water in a large pot and bring to boil. Once boiling, add the spinach from stem side (takes longer to cook) and cook for 30-45 seconds.
6. Remove the spinach from the water and soak in iced water to stop cooking with remaining heat. Alternatively, drain and run the spinach under cold running water until cool. Collect the spinach and squeeze water out.
7. Cut the spinach into 1-2” (2.5-5 cm) lengths and put in a medium bowl.
8. Add the sesame sauce and toss all together. Serve at room temperature or chilled. You can keep in the refrigerator for a few days.

https://www.justonecookbook.com/spinach-with-sesame-sauce/